ANT BANKS

Music

General Info

Location OAKLAND, California, US
Profile Views: 116187
Last Login: 10/14/2011
Member Since 10/2/2008
Type of Label Indie
Bio
Born and raised in Oakland California, Ant Banks A.K.A The Big BadAss is a world renowned multi-platinum producer/artist. Known for bringing heavy low end funky bass lines, savvy recording techniques, concocting creative artist collaborations, and having his own distinct original sound. His journey began in the mid 80's where he christened a slew of independent projects with the birth of what is now known as the "Oaktown Funk". It all started with Oakland rap sensation M.C.ANT (R.I.P.) in 1985. They recorded numerous 4-track cassette classics like "Feel The Bass" and " M.C. Ant & Ant Banks" along with countless others. They proceeded to release their first album entitled "M.C. Ant The Great" joined with collaboration efforts by DJ Terry T in 1988. The album went on to sell more than 60,000 units independently. In 1989 Banks hooked up with M.C. Pooh to record "Life Of A Criminal". It contained the underground smash hit single "Fuckin Wit Dank". The rise in popularity succeeded in more than 150,000 units sold independently. In 1990, Banks went on to produce Spice 1's "187 Proof" E.P. This was another independent project that he put his stamp on and it sold more than 200,000 units which led Spice to sign a hefty recording contract with "Jive Records". Banks' big break came in 1991 when he & M.C.Pooh (Poohman) were signed to Too Short's label "Dangerous Music". Success soon followed with Ant's first platinum production appearance on two 1992 hip-hop soundtracks, "Juice" and "Menace II Society". That same year, he was on production with Too Short on his platinum selling "Shorty the Pimp" album as well as associate Spice 1, with Banks producing over half of his platinum selling debut album entitled "Spice 1". Through his connections, Banks signed a contract with Jive Records and released his debut album "Sittin' on Something Phat" in 1993. The record featured live instrumentation, including guitar by notable former Parliament mainstay Michael Hampton. He went on to release "The Big Badass" in 1994 and "Do Or Die" in 1995 showcasing Banks' capable techniques on the microphone, intricate synister bass heavy production, and masterful minded mixing. In addition, Banks continued to develop local artists from Oakland. He produced the gold selling hit single "Pimp Of The Year" for Dru Down". He also produced local rap group sensation "Bad N Fluenz" which contained group member "Rappin Ron" (R.I.P.), Ants' favorite rapper of all time. In 1996, Banks style of production and creative collaborations continued to grow with the success of E-40's hit single "Rappers Ball" off the gold selling cd "The Hall Of Game". In 1997, Banks moved to Priority Records to release "Big Thangs". Flexing his creative collaboration arm, he recruited some of the West Coast's best rappers to assist him. His recruiting efforts included Ice Cube, 2Pac, E-40, Too Short, Mack-10, and Ice-T. The strategy paid off as the cd sold over 300,000 units with no video & very little radio play. While at Priority Records Banks produced a string of hits, including the first single "Snoopafella" off Snoop Doggs' platinum cd entitled "No Limit Top Dogg", the gold selling title track off Mack-10's "Based On A True Story", followed by "Thugs" off the platinum selling soundtrack "Romeo Must Die". In April of 1999, Banks released his T.W.D.Y. project, experiencing a substantial hit with the track "Players Holiday." A little over a year later, he followed with the second T.W.D.Y. album, Lead the Way. Through out Ant Banks' career, his productions have been part of selling over 27,000,000 units and still counting. .. .......... .......... ....Dark Myspace Layouts.. in ..Myspace Layouts.. ............ ..
Members
T.W.D.Y- THE WHOLE DAMN YAY
Influences
BARRY WHITE,QUINCY JONES,GEORGE CLINTON,ISACC HAYES,BILL WHITHERS,JAMES BROWN,BOOTSY COLLINS,OHIO PLAYERS,CAMEO,DONNY HATHAWAY,PRINCE,ROGER TROUTMAN,CURTIS MAYFIELD.
Sounds Like
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